Banner title

Banner subtitle

S 895

A.D. 998. King Æthelred to Wulfsige, bishop, and Sherborne Abbey; permission to convert the community to the Benedictine
Rule, and confirmation of land at Stockland in Sherborne, Dorset; 9 hides (cassati) at Holcombe Rogus, Devon; 15 at Halstock, 7
at Thornford, 10 at Bradford Abbas, 5 at Oborne, 8 at Stalbridge Weston, 20 in Stalbridge, all in Dorset; 10 at
Wulfheardigstoke; 8 at (Nether and Over) Compton, Dorset; 2 in Osanstoke; and 1 hide (mansa) at Lyme, Dorset. Latin

Translation

Charter of King Æthelred, dated 998, authorising Wulfsige, bishop of Sherborne, to convert his community to the Rule of
St Benedict, and confirming the abbey’s property, namely: 100 plots [agelli] in Sherborne itself, at Stockland, and the estate
[predium] of the monastery as marked out by Bishop Wulfsige; 9 hides (cassati) at Holcombe [Rogus], Devon; 15 at Halstock, 7 at
Thornford, 10 at Bradford [Abbas], 5 at Oborne, 8 at [Stalbridge] Weston, 20 at Stalbridge, all in Dorset; 10 at
Wulfheardigstoke; 8 at [Nether and Over] Compton, Dorset; 2 in Osanstoke; and 1 hide (mansa) beside the sea at Lyme, Dorset. In
the year from the Incarnation of the Lord 998. I, Æthelred, by the guiding control of God king (basileus) of the whole of
Albion, persuaded by Archbishop Ælfric, with the advice of my bishops and leading men (principes), and of the nobility and
faithful men in attendance on me, have given permission to Bishop Wulfsige to institute in the monastery of the church of
Sherborne the exemplary and chaste life of monastic conversation favoured in the sight of God according to the institute of the
holy father Benedict. On this condition, namely that whomsoever shall be his successor, whether a pious or a cruel man, may not
have the power (facultas) to deal in a bad manner with the affairs of the monks: may he be a pastor, not a tyrant, and rule in
the interest (utilitas) of the brothers in accordance with pastoral authority and not with the greediness of a wolf; may he
nourish his men and those who follow him. He is to take sustenance only among the brothers, as it is written: ‘I have made you a
prince of peoples […]; among them you are as if one of them [Eccl. 32.1].’ May he rule the <substance> of the monastery in
accordance with the interest of souls and bodies, in such a way at least that whatever may be set in motion may not be unknown
to the deliberation of the brothers. And if by chance, which may it not be, it should happen that the pastor and the flock be in
disagreement, the matter should always be reserved for the judgement of the archbishop, and he himself should inform the king
what lawful correction is to follow. And because the custom among us in no way decrees that an abbot is to be constituted in the
episcopal see, may the bishop himself be abbot and father to them, and for their part may the brothers be obedient to him as if
sons and monks, with chastity, humility and subjection according to the discipline of our bountiful father Benedict, so that
together they may deserve to receive the reward of the eternal garland [cf. I Cor. 9.24]. And in so far as the apostle says, we
are those ‘upon whom the ends of the world are come’ [I Cor. 10.11], and now that the human race is multiplied, to the extent
that very many, on account of shortage of land, not having anywhere either for ploughing or for digging, are busying themselves
with agriculture in order to obtain sustenance, and especially now that the greed of many is increasing, in such a way that
everyone grabs for himself whatever he can — our leaders considered it best that every dispute be settled with established
limits, and therefore, for the sake of agreement, they began recently to use estates among wordly men so that everyone could
freely cultivate a share of his own estate. Following the example of whom, I affirm that the estate of the aforesaid monastery
be set down in this charter. That is, in Sherborne itself one hundred plots (agelli) in the place which is called Stockland, and
the estate (predium) of the monastery just as Bishop Wulfsige took care to enclose it with ditches and hedges. Next, 9 hides
(cassati) in the place which is called Holcombe [Rogus] by the inhabitants. And 15 in Halstock, 7 in Thornford, 10 in Bradford
[Abbas], 5 in Oborne, 8 at [Stalbridge] Weston, 20 in Stalbridge, 10 in Wulfheardigstoke, 8 in [Nether and Over] Compton, 2 in
Osanstoke, and 1 hide (mansa) beside the shore of the sea which is called Lyme. And whatsoever God may increase for them from
the gifts of faithful men may the brothers living therein possess in continual security and perpetual liberty, three things
excepted which are common to all men, namely military service, and maintenance of bridge and fortress. However, they are to be
under obligation to no-one for the construction of a beacon (rogus), because we know the monastery requires this work. If by
chance, which may it not be, anyone should be tempted to annul this our donation, and to deflect it to his own purposes, let him
know that he will render account to the most just judge, at the last judgement when the trumpet of the archangel is sounding,
where every equity and justice shall be made known as Christ judges all. I, Æthelred, king of the English, grant this privilege
to the aforesaid monastery under the bishop, <and whomsoever he chooses for ruling always>, and I have marked this
donation with the sign of the holy cross +, in the presence of these witnesses. I, Ælfric, archbishop, having given my blessing,
have strengthened this grant. I, Ealdwulf, archbishop, acting willingly, have supported and consented [of York] I, Wulfstan,
bishop, have affirmed this same thing [of London] I, Ælfheah, bishop, have offered consent. [of Winchester] I, Wulfsige, bishop,
have brought this my wish all the way to completion. [of Sherborne] I, Ælfwine, bishop, with willing spirit, have granted. [of
<?>] I, Æthelweard, ealdorman, have confirmed gratefully. [of the western provinces] I, Ælfric, have been in agreement.
[of Hampshire] I, Ælfsige, abbot [of the New Minster, Winchester] I, Wulfgar, abbot [of Abingdon] I, Leofric, abbot [of
<?>] I, Godwine, abbot [of <?>] I, Æthelmær, thegn Ordwulf, thegn Wulfgeat, thegn Brihtmær, thegn Leofwine, thegn
Brihtric, thegn Wulfnoth, thegn